Former Milton Juvenile Prison Technician Arrested on Abuse Charges

MILTON, Fla. (AP) -- More abuse has been alleged at a now-closed Florida Panhandle juvenile prison.

Authorities tell the Pensacola News-Journal that Ernest Lerenza Parker of Milton surrendered Monday at the Santa Rosa County jail.

Parker had been a mental health technician at the Milton Girls Juvenile Residential Facility. He faces numerous charges, including battery and sexual assault. He's being held on more than $1 million bond. Jail records don't show whether he has an attorney.

A sheriff's report says six girls told investigators that they had been afraid to report Parker for abuse.

The allegations against Parker stemmed from a Florida Department of Children and Families investigation that began after a guard at the same facility was caught on video battering a teenage inmate.

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